Next-Gen Leader: Bridging Marketing, Brand Strategy & Business Communication to Shape the Future of Media
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Welcome to my Portfolio!
I’m a Marketing & Brand Strategy Student on the
LMU + El Camino Guaranteed Transfer Pathway, currently a Freshman at El Camino College. I’m pursuing studies in marketing, brand strategy, and communication at LMU where I will deepen my work at the intersection of leadership, branding, and media.
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I am Ava De Jesus, a freshman at El Camino College on the LMU + El Camino Guaranteed Transfer Pathway, as well as a dual enrollment student at Santa Monica College. Deeply rooted in the vibrant culture of Los Angeles, California. Known for my diligence, focus, and unwavering positivity, I have cultivated a reputation as a dedicated student and leader.
My academic interests are rooted in Business Communication, Marketing, and Brand Strategy which allow me to blend storytelling with strategy and connect with others in meaningful ways.. These passions currently guide my involvement at El Camino College through First Year Experience (FYE), the Business Society (FBLA and DECA), Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, and the Associated Student Organization (ASO). I am also part of the Girls Inc. National Brand Ambassador Alumnae Network, where I use digital storytelling to advocate for girls’ empowerment and equity.
During my time at Da Vinci Connect High School, I was deeply involved in a range of academic, leadership, and creative programs that shaped my foundation in
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marketing, communication, and social impact. I participated in Portal Learning, Journalism Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), DV Connect Yearbook, Connect Student Body, DV Connect Nuestras Voces Latinas, and the DV Connect Ambassador Program, each helping me strengthen my skills in leadership, teamwork, and public speaking.
I also served as the Founding President, Editor-in-Chief, and Social Media Coordinator of DV Connect Lit, my high school’s award-winning literary arts magazine. Over four years, our team worked to celebrate diverse voices and creative minds, successfully publishing three issues of our magazine: Breaking Barriers: Voices of Diversity and Inclusion, Breaking The Silence: Ending The Stigma on Teen Mental Health, and Year of the Girl. These publications highlight our commitment to journalism and the importance of inclusive storytelling in media. To expand our reach, I launched the DV Connect Lit × High School Book Drive in support of Banned Books Week, collecting more than 200 books with the Wiseburn community to ensure access to diverse literature. In 2024, DV Connect Lit earned the NCTE REALM Award for Excellence for Breaking The Silence, an issue dedicated to mental health awareness and youth advocacy through art and storytelling.
As President of the Girl Up Leadership Lab at my school, I also led a club dedicated to empowering young women to become leaders, advocates, and changemakers in our community. We ran workshops, hosted social events, and created opportunities that helped to build our club members' confidence and leadership skills. One of the most meaningful projects I led as President was the Homecoming Dress Swap, which focused on sustainability and giving back. Our team collected and redistributed over 50 dresses to students at our school to ensure everyone could participate in homecoming without financial barriers. We also donated an additional 30 dresses to Becca’s Closet, a Los Angeles nonprofit that provides free formal wear to students in need. This event wasn’t just about fashion, it was about reducing waste, making school events more inclusive, and reinforcing the power of community support. Girl Up Leadership Lab continues to be a space where young women can step into leadership, advocate for causes they care about, and build each other up.
For the past three years, I have been an active member of the Da Vinci Wolves JV softball team, where I play as a pitcher and outfielder. My experience in sports has strengthened my leadership and teamwork skills which are qualities that are essential in fields like marketing and communication.
Beyond clubs and sports, my commitment to community service includes volunteering with the Wiseburn Education Foundation, especially at their annual "Rock Around the Block" event, where I help to raise funds for stem + arts education. I also volunteer with the Friendship Foundation and at DV Connect School K-8th. The Friendship Foundation is especially meaningful to me because my brother has autism, and working with kids and young adults there helps me give back to a community that’s close to my heart. I assist in activities that build social skills, confidence, and independence. At DV Connect K-8th, I mentor younger students, support teachers, and organize activities.
I also spend afternoons tutoring my brother, which is a fulfilling experience that connects to my passion for advocacy and inclusion. Helping him with his schoolwork and watching his confidence grow has shown me how powerful a little extra support can be.
Recently, I completed a content creator internship with the College Board, where I produced digital media designed to support students through the college-going process. I developed resources focused on college readiness, standardized testing, and academic success, prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity for diverse student audiences. Through this experience, I strengthened my skills in communication, storytelling, and educational content strategy while contributing to materials that helped empower students with information to navigate their academic journey confidently.
Through my academic endeavors, athletic engagements, and extensive involvement in clubs, community activities, and volunteering, I'm creating a path to make a positive impact in the media landscape and beyond as a Next-Gen Leader.
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As a next-gen leader, I've had the privilege of participating in numerous educational programs and internships that have significantly shaped my academic, professional, and creative growth. Each experience has uniquely contributed to my development in business, brand strategy, and marketing. Below is a list of the programs and internships that have been instrumental in my journey.
